Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 765. AMOS FISK THOMPSON is in real truth a genuine pioneer, for he has lived on the frontier nearly all his life. He now is retired from active business and resides four miles north from Prineville. His birth occurred in Ohio, on December 24, 1824, and his father was Daniel Thompson, a native of Vermont. Our subject was brought by his parents to Indiana when quite young and remained there until 1828; then they moved to Illinois and settled about twenty miles from the present site of East Springfield. That was their home until 1831, when they journeyed to the western part of Illinois. There they remained two years, then the family made another move into Iowa. Our subject was one of the first white children in that territory and this move to Iowa was made shortly after the Black Hawk War. He remained in Iowa for some time but moved many times, so that he was always on the frontier. In 1847 he started from St. Joe, Missouri, with an ox team outfit in a train of forty-nine wagons and a carriage. They were six months in crossing the plains and he finally selected a place on the Santiam, ten miles above the present site of Lebanon. He wrought for wages until 1849, then he went to California to seek his fortune. For two years he delved in the golden sands of that territory, then he went to Yreka and mined one summer. During his journeys he was shipwrecked at the mouth of the Rogue River but escaped with his life. Finally, Mr. Thompson returned to the Santiam and in 1852 began farming. For twenty-two years he was on that place, then he moved to Ochoco in Crook county. His house was the last one east of the mountains, as one journeys west and therefore, by virtue of the position, became a natural stopping place for travelers. For twenty-five years Mr. Thompson entertained the travel on the old Santiam road, then sold the property and moved to town. Later he sold his town property to John Luckey and then bought two houses and five lots in Prineville, which is a valuable property. He also owns a ranch on McKy creek. In 1852, Mr. Thompson married Elizabeth Nye, who was born in Ohio, in 1821 and crossed the plains in 1851. She died July 25, 1901. Her father, Jacob Nye, was a pioneer of 1850 and a native of Pennsylvania. He also was a veteran of the War of 1812. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are Susannah, the wife of Silas Hodges; Riley; Mrs. Jane Coyle; Minta Allen, deceased; Mrs. Victoria Powell; Preston, and Frank, deceased. In politics, Mr. Thompson chooses the man rather than the party and reserves for himself the settlement of all issues, regardless of party lines. He is a consistent member of the Methodist church and has always labored ardently for the advancement of the gospel and the betterment of educational facilities. He has been a pathfinder on the frontier all his life and has done a splendid work in this capacity. He has so conducted himself that he has won the esteem and confidence of all who know him and is one of the venerable and respected men of the county at this time. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2010 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.